Latest Openings in Melbourne

Melbourne is truly diverse cultural hub, with more incredible bars & restaurants opening than you can keep up with.

Knock the best ones off your bucket list and then see what else you discover along the way. Make sure to take the side roads and alleyways as you'll never know what you'll find...

Here's Claire's wrap of all the new openings in Melbourne:

Estelle By Scott Pickett

Reopened in February 2019, Delicious says "Scott Pickett’s flagship fine diner is many things – clever, refined, considered, but most of all, fun."

Half Acre

Opened in November 2018; GoodFood says "Half Acre is so beautiful it's like stepping Alice-in-Wonderland-like right inside Instagram."

Mamma's Boy Trattoria

UrbanList says "Mamma’s Boy is serving it up, along with other non-traditional bruschettas like the Nduja (Calabrian spreadable salami), Friarielli and Gorgonzola. What the yum?"

Super Ling

Opened in September 2018; TimeOut says "The formula: take one lesser-known cuisine (here, the branch of Chinese food known as Hakka), add a dash of gastronomic wit and serve it in a room of pared-back simplicity."

Ishizuka

Opened in March 2018, Essentials says "Kaiseki at Ishizuka is a 12-course affair. It could start with sakizuke, a delicious block of edamame tofu topped with scampi and Siberian caviar set in a dashi gel. It is a masterpiece in soft textures and umami..."

Di Stasio Citta

Opened in February 2018, Broadsheet says "The menu resembles the St Kilda restaurant’s in many ways, heavy with handmade pasta."

Good Times Milk Bar

This opened in April 2018 and The City Lane says "Amongst the pastel coloured décor, the corner shop café offers a delicious all day breakfast menu (vital for Melbournian brunches), a juicy burger menu with all the sides, and a dog friendly courtyard making it a space suitable for family and furry friends.

Mr Crackles

Opened in July 2018; UrbanList says "Well the short answer, having now tried just about everything on Mr. Crackles menu is...yes. Yes, it really is as good as people are saying. Yes, you should get your ass down and try a bite. Yes, yes, a thousand times yes."

Fledgling Espresso

Opened in September 2018, UrbanList says "Sweet Jesus, that is a plate of food. Hands down one of the best things we’ve eaten in 2018 (we know it’s only April, but we eat A LOT)."

Restaurant Shik

Opened in July 2018; Gourmet Traveller says "Restaurant Shik delivers smart modern Korean food that balances authenticity with a keen sense of Melbourne here and now. It feels as though a gap has been filled."

IPPUDO QV

This opened in May 2018 and Manu Fiedel for Delicious says "If you can’t jump on a plane to Japan for a quick bowl of ramen and some steamed buns, I’d still recommend you try Ippudo. It might not be the best ramen in Australia, but it hits the spot. 3.5/5."

Juanita Peaches

Opened April 2018. Burgers of Melbourne says; "When things are done right, they are just done right and Juanita Peaches knows what's up, and so they should, the owner of Juanita Peaches is the same as Beatbox Kitchen, Taco Truck and All Day Donuts which have all been a hit."

Lesa

Australian Traveller says "Produce-centric, multi-course dining that champions local flavours, set in an intimate above-street-level dining room that brims with warmth."

Carlton Wine Room

Reopened after renovations in February 2018; Broadsheet says "The menu is an elegant take on modern Australian food with a European influence that works well with wine and is seasonal."

Hibiki

Opened in February 2019, UrbanList says "Hibiki specialises in two things: “Japanese brunch and beats”. Any cafe with that motto is somewhere we want to get to know better."

Cheek

Opened in October 2018; Concrete Playground says "Like Dexter in Preston, it's a bit of a no-rules barbecue joint. The menu here, though, leans heavier on Asian influences, taking inspiration from Korean, Chinese and Japanese cuisines."

JAMU

Opened in March 2018, Eat Drink Play says "JAMU comes from the Malay word meaning ‘to feast’; and feast we did. Head Chef Kha Nguyen of Masterchef season seven (2015) has curated a menu for sharing, with small to medium dishes, and a few big dishes on offer."

Austro

Opened July 2018; Delicious says "Whether it’s coffee and cake you crave or a savoury plate, you’ll find a lot to love at Austro, a new bakery-café putting an Aussie spin on Austrian classics."

Leonardo's Pizza Palace

Opened in January 2019; Beat says "Truly, Leonardo’s is another addictive addition to the North, where music, pizzas, and people spotting come together in one big delicious Melbourne affair. "

Prince Dining Room

Opened in January 2019; Delicious says "Food at Prince Dining Room is simple Hawkins, but intentionally so. “We want the produce to shine without it being overwhelmed by too many add-ons. At Prince Dining Room our food celebrates great farmers, growers and producers,”

Melba Social

Opened in December 2018, Consider The Sauce says "We find the food and service to be lovely, with much of the latter crossing over to very good. It is mostly straight-up Italian fare here.".

Hawker Chan

Opened in December 2018; Concrete Playground says "It's not every day a Michelin-starred name makes its way to Melbourne. So it's little surprise that the queues for Hawker Chan, the new Melbourne outpost from celebrated Singaporean chef Chan Hong Meng, have been a firm fixture since its doors opened in December."

Co Hanh

Opened in March 2019; Urban List says "Whether you’re in the market for something clean like a vermicelli salad or maybe something more substantial, we promise that Co Hanh won't disappoint—in fact, we’re sure it'll quickly become one of your go-to's."

Congress

Opened in April 2018; Broadsheet says "The stand out is the soft, peppery, house-made kangaroo pastrami, served on a smudge of cultured sour cream (made from scratch) and a layer of crunchy shallots."

Pho Xua

Opened in January 2019; their website says "We desire to deliver to our guests Vietnamese tradition and cuisine through authentic food and flavours, the way we present food and treat you like our family."

Queen Vee's

Opened in January 2019; UrbanList says "Trust us when we say you’ll become regular visitors at Queen Vee’s once you have your first bite of anything off their menu."

Sebastian

Opened in January 2019; The Age says "It's sea and sand and snacks and sips and the silkiest chocolate pot in town. Do you live here? Congratulations. Nowhere near? Take a short ride to be majorly transported."

Sunda Dining

Opened in April 2018; Concrete Playground says "Tucked behind Chinatown, Sunda marries together the flavours of Indonesia, Malaysia and Vietnam with native Australian ingredients."

Capitano Carlton

Opened August 2018; Goodfood's review says "There's not a lot I wouldn't double dip my fork into here."